Building construction



Nov. 17,l 1942. A. c. oLsEN BUILDING coNs'rnucTIoN Filed Jan. 20. 1940 2vsrwets-sne-e'vl l afi Aia l All H. l-fll rfor erecting the wallPatented Nov. 17, 194.12

UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICEA 2,302,047 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Anders C.Olsen, Gwynedd, Pa. Application January 20, 1940,' Serial No. 314,761 12claims. -(ci. 'z2-1s) This invention relates to an improved method andmeans for forming a wall construction, particularly with respect to atype of partition system comprising panels of wall material and battensconcealing the joints, hereinafter referred to as a batten type ofpartition system, and which is adapted for use in buildings such asoliices and the like, wherein there is a definite need for a partitionsystem which may be readily erected or disassembled for changing officeconditions.

This invention is concerned primarily with an improved method and meansof installing and retaining wall slabs composed of materials possessingsuch qualities as being fire-retardant,I soundproof, and thermalinsulating. This lnvention is a continuation-impart of the inventiondisclosed and claimed in the application of `Anders C. Olsen, Serial No.313,780, filed January 13, 1940, relating to Building structures. Theseslabs are applied between the spaced stud members in the partitionconstruction and are aiiixed to adjacent studs, being retained in placein the wall or partition by various alternative but non-equivalentmethods and means which do not impair the physical or structuralcharacteristics of the slabs or of the'wall or partition as a whole.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novel partitionsystem whereinthe erection of the partition or the like wallconstruction is simplied.

The principal features of the invention are that a panel or wall slabcan be readily` erected or disassembled, although this type of wallpartition is more particularly adapted for permanent installation;however, in salvaging, the partition may be readily taken down withoutdestroying any otherparts of the partition. The usual borrowed lights ortransoms may also be readily placed in or removed from the partitionsystem and the partition system and the partition may be erected withpre-painted panels so that yoflice partitions and the like may beerected over night for occupancy on the following day.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel partition systemadapted for interchanging oilice space from larger to smaller units andvice versa, and incorporating `certain features' such as a novelbaseboard construction adapted slabs thereon and particularly adaptedfor laying conduits, exible cables. and telephone connections.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide 'a novel partition systemsuitable for any height of partition and particularly adapted either fora dwarf type of partition, or for a ceiling height type of partition,incorporating such features'as having the panels readily removable andhaving such characteristics ,as being nre-retardant, thermal insulating,and sound insulating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel partition systemwhich will withstand vibration incident to tall` building structuressuch as is inherent to the modern office building.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a partition systemof a novel baseboard construction together with a novel form of crownmolding construction.

A principal feature of the invention is the provision of a novel studconstruction.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the invention and modification thereof as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters willindicatesimilar parts and where:

Figure 1 is a View in elevation, partially with Darts broken awayillustrating the novel partition system;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view along lines 2-2 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows, illustratinga detail of the studconstruction used between adjacent panels and the novel cornerconstruction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 5,looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the cornerconstruction of the partition system at the baseboard;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view along line 4 4 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the partitionsystem in detail at the baseboard and crown moldings;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view along lines 5 5 of Figure 2,looking in the direction of' the arrows, illustrating the studconstruction for supporting the wall slabs; j

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a floor or ceilingchannel; and,

Figure 7 is a Vertical sectional View f -a modi-7,(

lied stud construction.

Referring to Figure 1, novel wall or partition construction larly theform of door frame construction disthere is illustrated .a

I0 primarily adapted for interior partition systemsbut whichff.Aobviously may be used for exterior wallcon-y incorporate the. which maybeI closed in my co-pending application, Serial No.

313,780, led January 13, 1940. The partition.

also may include the usual borrowed lights as also disclosed in theabove-mentioned cci-pending application. The partition comprises theusual baseboard construction lland crown molding construction l2. Thepartition may also comprise an extension portion when a dwarf type ofpartition is extended to a ceiling height type of partition, and theconstruction preferred is that disclosed and claimed in my co-pendingapplications for Building constructions, respectively, Serial 'Nos313,778 and 313,779, both led January 13, 1940, of which thisapplication is a continuation-in-part. As the hardware for the doors,borrowed lights, and transoms are of standard construction, these willnot be described in detail as it is obvious that the usual glazed ormetal doors may be used and that standard borrowed light sashes andtransom sashes may be used with this novel construction, as they havebeen disclosed in the above-mentioned copending applications. l

Wall slabs I3 used in this Wall construction are of standard width andheight, preferably 24 inches in width and 8 feet in height, thus beingadapted for standard dwarf type partitions and with extension studs andheight type of partitions, or the partition may be erected with fullceiling height type of partition construction. When this partitionsystem is adapted for ceiling height type of partition, particularlywhen using extension stud construction, it is preferred to use theconstruction disclosed and claimed in my above-mentioned co pendingapplications.

The wall slabs used in this partition system preferably comprise aninsulating portion or core I4 preferably formed of felted fibrousmaterial, preferably bagasse or other ligno-cellulose materials. Thisinsulating material may be sized by any suitable process, preferably byprecipitatingl rosin size with alum. There is applied to each face ofthis core for ornamental purposes a facing I5 preferably of asbestos andcement. The method of forming this sheet material comprises aninsulating base and facings of asbestos fiber and cement thereforewhich' is disclosed and claimed in United States patent to T. B. `Munroeet al., No. 1,976,684, granted October 9, 1934. It is obvious from theillustrations, particularly in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, that by the useof such composite panel there will be provided in a wall construction orpartition system a wall construction which has not only .a core ofinsulating material but also an ornamental and weatherproof surface,which is also nre-resistant due tothe asbestos ber and cement coatingthereon. It is also evident that the asbestos-cement surface may besuitably ornamented by painting where the surface is exposed or left inits natural finish, or that there may be impressed thereon designssimulating brick siding or other forms of siding material. Also that theornamental surface applied to the insulating core may. have one facewhich is-preferably adapted for an exterior surface while the other'face is adapted for an interior surface. When used for an interiorpartition construction, it is preferred to either leave the lfacingmaterial in its natural finish or to decorate the surface in colorssuitable to the taste of those using the ofce space provided with thepartitions, or, if in a' home or apartment construction, to decorate tobe suitable to the residents thereof.

sections thereof for ceiling of a' modified form materials known in theare preferably cut in A wall slab is reinforced When the novel partitionsystem, as illustrated, which will be further described in detail, ischanged from the dwarf type of partition system to a ceiling height typeas disclosed and claimed in the above-mentioned cci-pendingapplications, extension slabs formed from the same material as the mainwall slabs or panels I3 may be utilized or it is obvious that thepartition may be finished to the ceiling with other sheathing. This mayinclude asbestos-cement panels, or felted fiber board, gypsum Wallbcard,or the like material. Although this invention is disclosed primarily forthe application of a type of material comprising an insulating base andasbestos ber and cement facings'therefor, nevertheless', it is evidentthat this system is equally applicable for the erection of various kindsof wall slabs or any other sheet form wall-forming building art.

In the novel partition further disclosed in detail, the wall slabs I3are erected by the use of a novel stud construction I6. In theconstruction which is to be described,

`it is preferred that the Wall slabs shall be formed so that there areslots or kerfs Il', Figure 5, uniformly spaced along the edges of thewall slabs, adapted to receive prongs I8 similarly spaced along thelength 0f the studs I6. The slots I1 the edges of the wall slabs otherdevice to extend I3 with a suitable saw or across the thickness of thematerial and are preferably at an angle of 45 and also the prongs I8 arecomplementally formed.

The stud construction IB preferably comprises two channel members I9welded or otherwise secured together back to an I-beam form o-fconstruction, and it is preferred that the prongs I8 shall be strucktherefrom although it is within the scope of the invention that theprongs 4lil maybe separately formed and secured to the channelscomplemental to the kerfs I1 in the wall slabs.

A modified stud construction 2II'is illustrated in Figure 7 andY is inthe form of an I-beam and from which a web 2| has the prongs I8 strucktherefrom in alternate directions for the erection of panels, not shown,but which will have slots or kerfs complementally formed with respect tothe prong construction of the modified stud 20.

It is obvious that from this disclosure that the wall slabs I3 and thesupporting studs I6 may be formed very cheaply in sizes preferred forthe standard height type of partitions or dwarf type of partition,involving only the labor necessary to form the compound wall slab of aninsulating material and facing materials for the faces thereof, togetherwith the simple operation necessary for forming the supporting prongs onthe studs and the complemental slots or kerfs in the wall slabs. Sincethe felted fibrous material comprising the with cement facing, the novelprong and slot construction is suitably adapted for the supporting ofwall slabs formed of this material without the wall slabs failing at thekerfs. The construction of this invention provides that the wall slabsI3 may be readily erected or dismantled when the partitions or wallconstructions are rearranged for changing office conditions, or when thepartition or wall constructions are being taken down, thus providingthat the entire system may be salvaged. The further details ofthe'construction of the novel wall construction and particuforms ofpanels or or wall construction to be' back to form substantially theasbestos fiber and` n tions 23,

lariy with reference to a novel partition system will be described byreferenceto the remaining `figures of the drawings.

material., preferably asphalt impregnated to form a seal between thefloor and the baseboard construction and also to provide means tendingto retard the transmission of sound between the partition and the floorbelow. The flooring channel 22 is provided with laterally extending por-Figure 6, adapted to receive the baseboardpanel members II. It is alsoobvious that the flooring channel may be secured to the floorconstruction in the usual manner such as by the use of lag screws,expansion bolts, or other suitable securing means.

The crown molding construction I 2, Figures 1, 4, and 5, where a ceilingheight type of partition is necessary may have a ceiling channel 24,which may also serve as the top of a dwarf type of partition, secured tothe ceiling construction in the usual manner such as by the use of lagscrews or toggle bolts. -The ceiling channels 24 are also formed similarto the door channels 22 and have the laterally extending portions 23adapted to receive crown molding strips 25. The studs I6 are thenerected between the members 22 and 24 and may be affixed in position ina manner well known to one skilled in the art. The panels I3 may then beplaced in position in the following manner. Each of the panels I3 iserected in succession by lifting it upwardly in order that the slots I1at an edge thereof may engage the prongs I 6 of the studs to which it isaixed. and then it is dropped down to engage the prongs which are formedon the stud contiguous to the edge of the panel which is being erectedin position. The stud which is to be erected contiguous to the oppositeedge of the panel may then be placed in position by sliding it laterallyso that its prongs engage the slots formed on the opposite edge withrespect to the edge just described as the panel is being aiiixed to thefirst mentioned studby moving the panel laterally as it is dropped downin place, so that now the panel is firmly axed in position and the nextpanel is ready to be placed on the stud last erected, after it has beensecured in position, to form the partition system; It should be obvious,however, to one skilledl in the art that, although this invention isbeing described with respect 'to studs formed from channels, the novelstud construction may also be formed from a Z-bar or from angles securedtogether so as to forma Z-bar construction or a T-shaped channelconstruction in which case the panels may be inserted in the studconstruction after they have been erected and secured in position bysliding the panels after they have been lifted so that the slots in thepanels and their complementally formed prongs on the stud are inalignment and then by merely forcing the panel laterally with respect tothe partition construction, the panels are very readily erected in placein the partition system without the necessity of first erecting thestud, then placing a panel thereon and then completing the partition bysuccessive erections of the panels and contiguous stud constructions. i

After the panels have been erected in place between the studconstructions, the studs may be l At the upper ends of the panels andlaterally extending portions firmly aiiixed and secured in position bythe usual form of securing means, and it is to be understood that thefloor channel constructions 22 and ceiling channel or crown moldingconstruction I2, and particularly the ceiling channel 24, shall belevelled by methods approved in the art and also that the panels shallbe set plumb in position.

In order to erect the crown moldings 25 and the panels forming thebaseboard construction II in position, it is preferred that there shallbe placed betweenthe studs a U-shaped member 26, preferably formed ofsheet metal having resiliently formed legs 21 adapted to grip the loweredite of the panel I3 to which it is aflixed. I3 forming the partitionsystem, the U-shaped member 26 is also applied in order that its legs 21shall also grip the faces of the panel at the upper end of the panel. Itis preferred that this member 26, Figure 4, shall be forced down untilit engages the upper endofthe panels to which it is applied. Theornamental batten strips 25 which form the crown molding are thensnapped in position by first placing a resilient U-shaped portion 28which is complementally formed with respect to thevlaterally extendingportions 23 of the ceiling channel 24 so that the portion 28 engagesthese members 23 and then snapping the batten strip 25 in position overthe lip 29 of the member 26 in order that a complementally formedlatching member 30 shall be locked in place over the lip 29. It isobvious from this description that the crown molding strips 25 may bereadily removed by reversing the order of procedure just described whenit is necessary to dismantle the partition system.

'I'he baseboard panel members I I may also be erected in position insubstantially the same manner as that described with respect to thecrown molding construction I2. The members 26 may be preferably slidupwardly with respect to the wall slabs I3, and the baseboard members IIare then placed in position by placing an inverted U-shaped portion 3Ion the bottom edge of the panels II over the complementally formed 23 ofthe floor channel 22. The upper end of the panels II are then movedinwardly with respect to the wall slabs and the U-shaped securing member26 is then forced downwardly so that the edges or lips 29 cover acomplementally formed upper edge 32 of the baseboard panels II so thatthe opposite baseboard panels I I are firmly affixed in position in thepartition system. Batten strips 33 for completing the studs I6 areformed of sheet metal and are aflixed to the studs by sliding themlongitudinally on the studs, Figures 1 and 2. As the batten strips 33have already been applied to the studs I6 before they were erected inplace in the partition system, it is obvious that the crown moldingstrips 25 together with the baseboard panel construction of thebaseboard panel members IIl form a panelled surface which is pleasing tothe eye. as illustrated in Figure 1. As illustrated in Figures 1 and v4,the lips 29 of the U-shaped members 26 also serve as furtherornamentation for the partition construction. It is evident thereforethat there has been disclosed,

particularly with reference to the baseboard conare similar inconstruction to the stud construction I were formed.

4 lng of electrical conduits and the llikel construcftions which areplaced in the ,spaces between the opposite baseboard panel constructionsand the U-shaped members 23. In order to facilitate the placing oftheconduits in the partition system, openingsY or holes 34 are providedinthe bottom of the studs, as illustrated in Figure 4. Itis to beunderstood that, in dismantling the partition'or wall construction, thedismantling is accomplished by reversing the `steps of erection of thepartition system as it has just been described, particularly withreference tothe baseboard panel construction and the crown moldingconstruction. k

Referring to Figures 21, 3, and 5, the preferred form of cornerconstruction for this novel.` partition and wall construction will nowbe described. A corner stud 35 is utilized and this corner stud ispreferably formed-from angle iron members 36 arranged as bestillustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The angle irons 36 forming the` studarerigidly secured together by welding or otherwise suitably securingangle-shaped cllps31 at the top and bottom of the stud constructions o!the stud members, Figure 5, and it is within the scope of this inventionthat additionalclips or securing members 31 may also be secured alongthe length of the stud to further stiften the stud construction.v To theangle-shaped clips 31 are then welded channel members I9 which thosefrom which channel shaped members I9'of the stud construction 35 alsohave prongs I8 formed thereon adapted to receive the complementallyformed kerfs I1 of the wall sla'bs I3. In order that the II may properlyintersect at the corner a notch 38 may be formed, as best illustrated inFigure 5, so that the ends of hatten strips 39 and 40 may. serve in thesame manner as the lips 29 of the members 23. For an equivalentstructure, however, the hatten strips 39 and 40 at their ends may haveprojections similar to the lips 29 to serve the samepurpose.

In erecting the Wall panels I3 in position in the partitionconstruction, the corner stud construction 35 baseboard panels shall befirst 'I'he panels contiguous to the corner construction are thenerected in place as has been previously described by lifting'the panelsI3 to allow the saw kerfs I1 to be in alignment with the prongs I8 sothat, as the panels are dropped in position, the panels will be forcedinto position contiguous to the studs and struction.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, an inner/ornamental batten strip 39and the outer ornamental corner batten strip 40 have been previouslyerected in place on the stud construction by sliding them in placelongitudinally with respect to the stud construction before it iserected in position.

it is preferred thatl between the legs of the channel members I9 formingpart of the corner stud convstrip 39 and these in turn are so positionedas to engage-the leg portions I9 opposite to those which form the limercorner stud construction. Thus, when the ornamental batten strips 39 andM are applied to the stud construction 35. there is formed a cornerconstruction which is not only f rigid but is suitably ornamented toform an inner corner construction and an outer corner construction; and,as the Wall slabs have been placed in position, it is obvious that therehas been formed a novel corner construction including a novel studconstruction with which one may readily' assemble a partition or wallconstruction.

These erected in place in the partition construction.4

above, by having A notch 38 may also be formed in the upper endof thestud construction and it is similar to the v notch 33 at the bottomportion of the stud conthe crown molding strips 25 are erected in'placein the corner stud construction, a neat joint may be formed between thecrown ymolding strips and the members forming the corner studconstruction. This construction, however, may be modified as describedthe upper ends of the batteri stripsf39 and 40 formed with lips similarto the lips 29 of the members 36. It is obvious that both the crownmolding construction I2 and the baseboard panel construction II at thecorner stud construction should be formed "as illustrated in Figures land 2 to provide a neat crown molding construction and a neat baseboardpanel construction.

The baseboard panels II and the crown moldstruction, so that, when ingstrips 25 at the corner stud construction are Aerected in aco-planarconstruction. Although the corner stud construction has beenparticularly disclosed with reference to a right angle cornerconstruction, it is obvious that within the scope of the invention, thecorner stud construction may be formed for any suitable angularrelationship between the intersecting partitions of a partition systemor wall construction.

When it is necessary to form intermediate joints between the main panelsparticularly where it is desirous of obtaining further ornamentation byarranging the battens and panels in suitable` designs, the constructionas disclosed and claimed in detail in my co-pending application,SerialNo. 313,780, filed January 13, 1940, may be utilized.4 In thisform of construction,

the contiguous edges of the panels I3 which are pansion of the panelswhich takes place because of changes in humidity or temperature.

Figures l, 2, 5, and 'I have been previously described in detail withreference to the particular panel structure and particularly relate to aconstruction of the prongs I8 and the complementally formed kerfs orgrooves II in the panel construction I3. Although in describing theformation of the prongs i8 on the studs I3 and 20, it has been describedthat the prongs are formed on the studs I6 and 20, it is obvious thatthis is a generic use of the term; and, that. by

' secured between the forming of the prongs on the studs, this term mayalso include equivalent mechanical expedients such as striking theprongs from the original metal of the studs, or forming the prongsseparately and subsequently spot welding or otherwise securing theprongs to the base or legs of the studs. Other equivalent expediente maybe dowels or similar members Welded or otherwise legs of the stud in thesame relative position as the prongs.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides anumber of related but non-equivalent methods and relatively thick slabsof Wall material between required. The invention, however, is notlimited to the .good heat insulating quality ment, natural or syntheticresins, ceramic materials, and the like may be attached to the studs ofthe partition construction or of any type of construction in the mannerand by the means herein provided.

As applied to buildings such as houses, ofce buildings, factories, andthe like, any desired form or type of interior and exterior wallmaterial may be utilized in conjunction with the wall slabs. Althoughthe partition system has been particularly described with reference tointerior partition systems, and it is preferred that the partitionsshall be left either in their natural color or may be suitably decoratedby any of the iinishing materials well known in the art, nevertheless,if necessary these wall slabs may have Y plaster applied thereto as aninterior nish, and

when necessary, it may be directly applied to the stud members, eachwall slabs. Stucco and kellastone or the like may beapplied to theexterior surface of the slabs either without, or .preferably with, asuitable ing surfacing coat. When wood siding, shingles, or panels ofwood, metal or composite materials are employed, suitable nailing stripsmay be anchored to the slabs in any desired manner, such as, forexample, by attaching the nailing strips to bolts, metal clips, or thelike which have been suitably embedded or anchored in the materialforming the panels. Masonry veneer may lalso be anchored to the slabs ina similar manner.

It will also be understood that while metal studs have been disclosedfor the erection of the particular panels described, nevertheless, Woodframing may be employed with equal facility in which case the studs maybe formed with the cli-ps or prongs I8 such as has been disclosed indetail with reference to the metal studs, and either nailed or otherwisesecured to the equivalent Wood stud construction.

It will, or course, be understood that various combinations of thefeatures of the invention other than the combinations illustrated anddescribed, will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and aretherefore entirely within the scope of the invention as dene'd by theappendedclams. The same applies to various modifications and minordepartures from the specic forms of wall slabs as well as the method andmeans of attaching the wall slabs herein illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A Wall comprising, in combination spaced of said' stud memberscomprising in part a web portion, solid panels ofwall thick materialdisposed between adjacent stud members, longitudinally spaced,oppositely directed outwardly and upwardly extending prongs struck outof the web portions of the stud members, said prongs tendingtransversely across the studs and of substantially the width of the webportions thereof for supporting and aftlxing panels to opposite sides ofthe web portion and complemental recesses extending into and across theside edges of the panels and engaging the prongs whereby the panels areheld against theA stud members by a force which is normal to the web ofthe stud members and is a function of the-weight of the panel and theinclination ,of the prongs sup- Y porting the panel.

2. A wall comprising, in combination, spaced stud members having webportions, solid wall thick panels of wall material disposed on oppositesides of the web portions of the stud members supporting the panels,transversely extending prongs substantially the width of the webs formedon the web portions and upwardly and outwardly inclined with respect tothe web portions for supporting panels on opposite sides of the webportions of the stud members, complemental transversely extending meansformed on the edges of the'panels and providing downwardly facingsupported surfaces extending across the width of 'a panel, each suchsupported surface constituting support means ex- `molding constructionon each of the aforesaid channel-shaped members, whereby a stud umemberin the form of an I-beam is formed with supporting ledges extendingsubstantially the full width of the web and comprising continuousoutwardlyextending and upwardly inclined prong members laterally formedwith respect to the web portion of the stud.

4. A partition construction comprising, in combination, a floor channeland a ceiling channel, spaced stud members mounted therebetween, panelsof wall thick wall material mounted between the spaced stud members, acrown molding construction comprising resilient U -shaped membersresiliently gripping the upper ends of the panels, a removableornamental molding strip on each side of the partition constructiondetachably affixed to the ceiling channel and the resilient U-shapedmembers, and a baseboard construction comprising other U-shaped membersresiliently gripping the bottom edges of the panels and baseboardsdetachably aiilxed to the said other U-shaped members and wherebythepartition construction may be assembled and disassembled.

5. A wall panel for mounting between studs in a wall construction, saidpanel being of wall thickness and along each of its side edge faceshaving kerfs substantially uniformly spaced and extending substantiallythrough the thickness of the panel inwardly from a side edge face intothe body of the panel, the kerfs inclined with respect to theirrespective side edge faces of the panel and the upper inclined surfaceof said kerf affording means for supporting the panel on complementallyformed studs of a wall construction.

6. As an article of manufacture, a stud member comprising a web andflanges fabricated as an I shaped member for supporting a wall panel onthe web and between a pair of the opposed flanges thereof,longitudinally spaced prongs on the web of the stud, the'prongsextending transversely, substantially the width of the web and directedoutwardly from the web and upwardly, whereby the upper surfaces of saidprongs comprise supporting surfaces for `supporting complementing thedoor channel,

surfacesof edge kerfedwall panels fabricated for mounting on the studmember. A

'7. A partition construction comprising, in combination, a flooringchannel and a ceiling channel. spaced stud members mounted therebetween,wall thick panels of wall material afxed between the stud members,elongated resilient U -shaped members extending along the upper andlower edges of the panels between contiguous facesL of adjacentstuds,the flanges of the U-shaped members gripping opposite side facesof the pane1s,`acrown side of the `partition construction aflixed to theceiling channel and to the resilient U-shaped member at the upper edgeof the panels, and a baseboard Vconstruction on each side of thepartition construction affixed to the resilient U-shaped member at the U-shaped members bottom edge of the panels and to the flooring channel.

8. A partition construction comprising, in combination, a flooringchannel and a ceiling channel, spaced lstud members mountedtherebetween, wall thick panels of wall material afiixed betweencontiguous stud members, elongated resilient extending along the upperand lower edges of the panels between contiguous faces of adjacentstuds, the flanges of the U-shaped members gripping opposite side facesof the panels and aiiixing the U-shaped members to the panels, theresilient U-shaped members having at the extremities of the flangesthereof symmetrically formed lips formed on opposite sides of thepartition construction, a crown molding construction on each side of thepartition construction'afxed to laterally extending portions of the saidceiling channel and to the symmetrcally formed lips of the resilientU-shaped member at the upper edge of the panels, and a baseboardconstruction on each side of the ypartition construction ailxed to thesymmetrically formed lips of the resilient U-shaped member at the bottomedge of the panels and to laterally extending portions of the flooringchannel.

9. A wall construction comprising, in combination, a floor, a flooringchannel affixed thereto, spaced stud members mounted on thev flooringchannel, panels of wall thick wall material mounted on and extendingbetween contiguous faces of adjacent stud members and spaced verticallyfrom the flooring channel, a metal baseboard construction overlying thepanels of wall material at the lower ends thereof and mounted betweenthe iioor and the lower ends of the panels of wall material at the lowerends thereof, said metal baseboard construction comprising resilientU-shaped members extending along the lower edges of the panels betweencontiguous faces of adjacent studs, the anges of the U -shaped membersgripping opposite side faces of the panels and aiilxing the U-vhapedmembers to the bottom edges of the panels and ornamental baseboardpanels on both sides of the wall construction ailixed at their upperedges to the resilient U-shaped member and at their lower edges to theflooring channel.

10. A partition construction comprising; in combination, a flooringchannel,` spaced stud members mounted thereon, wall thick panels of wallmaterial affixed between opposed faces of contiguous stud members, abaseboard construction comprising` resilient U-shaped members extendingalong the lower edges of the panelsfbetween contiguous faces of adjacentstuds, the flanges of the U-shaped members gripping opposite side facesof the panels and aiixing the U-shaped members to the panels andbaseboard panels detachably mounted on the resilient U-shaped member andflooring channel.

1l. A solid partition construction comprising, in combination, a floorchannel, spaced stud membersA mounted thereon,` panels of wall thickwall material affixed between contiguous faces of adjacent studs andforming a solid partition construction, the bottom edges of the panelsterminating short .of the floor channel to form chambers, a baseboardconstruction comprising resilient U -shaped members extending along thelower edges of the panels between contiguous faces of adjacent studs,the flanges of the U-shaped members gripping opposite side faces of thepanels and atlixing the U-shaped members to the lower edges yof thepanels and baseboard -panels remov- A o1' the removable baseboardpanels.

12. A partition construction comprising, in combination, a flooringchannel and a ceiling channel, spaced stud members mounted therebetween,panels of wall thick Wall material mounted on and extending betweencontiguous faces of adjacent spaced stud members, a crown moldingconstruction comprising resilientU-shaped memthe contiguous faces ofadjacent studs, the flanges o! the U-shaped members gripping oppositeside faces of the panels and aixing the U-shaped members to the panelsand removable ornamental molding strips on both sides of the partitionconstruction detachably amxed to the ceiling channel and the resilientU-shaped members.

ANDERSC. oLsEN.

